CD Review: Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue ~ Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue

There is no doubting the influences on this ten track self-titled album Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue, the music is loud hard edge Rockabilly with a feel of stepping into the edges of a Western on many of the tracks. This is a dancing ‘let’s have a good time at a party’ album it gets the adrenalin going and dancing toes tapping and hips a swaying. The Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue are from Bristol and Ruzz leads from the front with his churning high octane guitar work that pulls you into the music with his riffs and licks that are delivered with energy. What is lacking at times is finesse, a drawing of breath and changing the shape of the music so that the full depth of Rockabilly, Rhythm and Blues can be explored even have a bit more Country because even the Slow Train is in a hurry to get back home. The rhythm section keeps the shape thanks to the skills of Holly Carter on drums and Joe Allen’s Upright Bass, in fact a bit more of the bass at times would have filled out an deepened the musical tone of the tracks. Ruzz on vocals delivers the songs but again a slower tempo at times would have allowed him to explore the emotions and added another layer as on Broke Again a song with lyrics that many can relate to. The speed is relentless from the opening number The Last Stand through to Gasolina an instrumental that leaves you gathering your musical breath as the track draws to an end. That said this is an album that hits the rockabilly hot spot and has more highs than lows and will always be an enjoyable listen – a definite party hit.